Flinch [Perfect Paperback]

Shaun Tan (Author), Justin Randall (Author), Ray Fawkes (Author), Tom Taylor (Author), James Barclay (Author), Terry Dowling (Author), Colin Wilson (Author), Chris Bones (Author), Christian Read (Author), Mel Tregonning (Author), Bobby.N (Author), Anton McKay (Author), Michael Katchan (Author), Chris Bolton (Author), Andrew Richardson (Author), Tom Bonin (Author), Skye Ogden (Editor), Wolfgang Bylsma (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 18, 2009

Flinch is a collection of engaging stories by established and emerging creators, all playing on their interpretation of flinch.

From facing the other within ourselves, to the tale of a prison inmate discovering what keeps him going to a handful of stories exploring traditional (and non-traditional) hauntings alike. With cover art by World Fantasy Award winning Shaun Tan, Flinch features stories from creative collaborations including: UK fantasy author James Barclay & Chris Bolton, Ray Fawkes & Anton McKay, Justin Randall & Chris Bones, International Horror Guild Award winner Terry Dowling & Skye Ogden and many more!

Sample pages and commentary available at flinchbook.com

Editorial Reviews

Review

Produced by Australian publisher Gestalt (Waldo s Hawaiian Holiday, Character Sketches), Flinch is a digest sized anthology, and a good one at that. Inside its 120 black and white pages is a wild assortment of eerie, strange and occasionally disturbing tales. I mean, look at that cover by Shaun Tan a giant rabbit! Freaky. The first story is by far my favourite. It s a great mood setter for the remainder of the book. Bobby. N s tale, entitled Withheld follows middle-aged prisoner, Jim on his last day in the clink after 30 years inside for a murder he didn t commit. Having lived half his existence behind bars he s dejected about his release and the friends he ll leave behind. The last few pages give the scenes before it a real emotional kick. The artist deserves praise for his panel layouts dark and angular when in prison and light and welcoming when outdoors. Jim is set up as a quiet and gentle man with such restraint. It s not wordy and is a superb example of the use of space to build tension. Also scattered throughout these tales that, question the darkness within us all, are simple, yet clever one page pieces by acclaimed artist Shaun Tan that capture a theme such as innocence or knowledge. The majority of these creators are Australian and really run with the theme behind this collection. Some, like Mel Tregonning in Night, Justin Randall and Chris Bones in Speak of the Devil and James Barclay and Chris Bolton in Twain play with the concept of light battling darkness to unique effect, while Anton McKay s The Ride Home throws out a Hitchcockian story of suburban horror involving a DJ s youthful secret. Other standouts would be Tom Taylor s work in 96, 000m with artist Tom Bonin. It s only 6 pages, and opens with two men in a submersible craft on a deep sea mission. The ending is bold and made me laugh because it came from nowhere and really works. Taylor s other story, with his Star Wars: Invasion collaborator Colin Wilson is a sci-fi tale called White Dove III. Like Bobby. N, Taylor expands a simple premise in to a powerful story. Like any anthology, not every story is a winner. However, each story also brings a fresh artistic approach and every style imaginable is contained within Flinch's pages. --Kris Bather, comicbookjesus.com

Product Details

• Perfect Paperback: 120 pages
• Publisher: Gestalt Publishing; First edition (May 18, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0977562832
• ISBN-13: 978-0977562831
• Product Dimensions: 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #861,249 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Modern day Edgar Allen Poe-esque compilation of Mini comics, August 8, 2009

By 

Girl Godfrey "Booksmith" (San Francisco, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flinch (Perfect Paperback)

I got to say I loved FLINCH. "Daemon Street Ghost trap" I wanted more - there is nothing better than a spooky drive up to a haunted house. "Speak of the Devil" is horrific - a perfect case of less storytelling is more... "The ride Home" was brutal, quirky and all about the Guiness . "White Dove III" is a quick - kick in the pants -space horror, Tom Taylor and Colin Wilson ARE a great comic duo. "Night" is every little kids nightmare. I gotta say FLINCH is a great compilation of modern day Edgar Allen Poe-esque mini's. It is also great to see an anthology of Australian comic book writers/creators/illustrators tackle horror. Congrats - Gestalt!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An Inspiring Collection, August 6, 2009

By 

Dean (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flinch (Perfect Paperback)

This anthology features some outstanding comics work from up-and-coming creators and reads like a slightly lower budget version of Flight or Popgun or any other anthology series currently doing the rounds. Bobby N's story 'Withheld' is the standout piece, setting the standard for the rest of the book. The inclusion of Tom Taylor and Colin Wilson's 'White Dove III' and Mel Tregonning's 'Night' make this worth the purchase price alone, and then there's that gorgeous cover by Shaun Tan as well!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Shaun Tan and others! A worthwhile addition to any bookshelf., August 6, 2009

By 

Tan Fan - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flinch (Perfect Paperback)

I'm a fan of all things Shaun Tan and couldn't pass this up. Shaun did the cover art and contributed three pages inside as only Shaun can. The book is in black and white and features different art and writing styles. Some of them work better than others, but it is a great anthology and I loved being exposed to other Australian creators like Mel Tregonning. Her work feels much like early Shaun Tan, working in pencil with a wordless story that feels like a nightmare. I recommend this to any other Tan Fans out there!